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February 18, 2015

Seven vintage garments it might surprise you to learn that I don't own

There are certain items that are the bread and butter of a vintage wardrobe, especially for those who wear 1930s, 1940s, and/or 1950s styles. We know them well - pencil skirts, shirtwaist dresses, cardigans, high waisted repro jeans, and pearl (not to mention Bakelite!) jewelry, for example - and love them to bits (of course those who favour other eras have their own batch of staple styles as well, too, these are just some that tend to be especially common for mid-century fashion fans). They're must-have cornerstones of our closet and pieces that we rarely go more than a few days without sporting at least one of (see this post from 2013 for 15 of my vintage fashion essentials).

Beyond these most fundamental of vintage wardrobe ingredients however, there is still fairly large number of items that it is typically assumed most vintage (and/or rockabilly) wearers will own and when it surfaces that you might not actually have one or more such pieces, the response, I've found, is usually something along the lines, "Seriously? Not even one?!".

Nope, not even one. Sometimes this is because I haven't yet struck upon the right one, at the right price, or perhaps I used to own one, but it has bit the dust and I'm between said items for the time being. In other instances, a certain garment or accessory - no matter how much I may adore and appreciation - might simply look disastrous on me and as such I've made a conscious choice to exclude said item from my daily ensembles (learning about and working around styles that do not do you the tiniest of favours is an extremely important part of having an amazing vintage wardrobe that brings you joy, and is a topic I covered in much further depth in this post last year).

In others still, I may not have felt a longing to own such a piece. Even within the walls of our vintage wardrobes, our personal tastes are apt to change an evolve a little, and though it's rarely discussed, there are even trends that emerge within our circle that can cause one to suddenly feel like they want to rush out and purchase a garment or accessory that they had never previously felt pulled towards. By the same token, you may discover an item on your own that you had never felt drawn to before, but suddenly feel as though there is a gapping hole in your closet without.

Add to that the fact that for most of us, our wardrobes are continuous works in progress, especially if you're relatively new to sporting vintage, and it stands to reason that almost no one will have an example of every possible type of relatively common vintage garment to hand. You might need a second house just to store your clothes and accessories in if you did! (Mmmm, such an appealing thought...What's that? Sorry, got lost in a vintage wardrobe daydream for a second. :D)

I madly adore clothing, especially that of a vintage, reproduction or vintage appropriate nature, and take great pleasure in growing my wardrobe, making the most of my modest fashion dollars (be sure to see this post for some great tips on that front), and continually expanding the amount of variety on my hangers.

At this point in time, there is objectively not many areas of my vintage wardrobe that are particularly lacking. It would be lovely to own more of some types of garments and accessories of course, but I won't run the risk of finding myself clothing-less any time soon and I'm very grateful for that fact. It took me many years, a lot of dedicated searching, and no shortage of patience to reach this point and to have the highly currated vintage filled closet that I do.

Yet, chalked full though it may be (if we're talking my actual closet that is, which is about the size of a matchbox; great for creating disciplined wardrobe editing, not so fabulous for having room to expand your clothing collection!), there are certainly some vintage items that I don't yet own, or which for the reasons touched on above, I've opted not to purchase. I should mention that I'm talking about items from, or that look the part of, the 1940s and 50s, as these are the decades I sport most frequently and thus have centered my wardrobe around. Obviously, as I don't usually wear 1920s, 30s, 60s, or 70s styles, there will be many pieces from those eras that are not accounted for in my closet.

I thought you guys might be interested to know what some of the pieces that fall into that camp are, so without further ado, may I present a list of seven different vintage garments and accessories that I do not currently own (and the reasons why such is the case).

1. 49er Jacket

A truly iconic mid-century garment (that is still in production to this day), the Pendleton 49er jacket (so called because the women's version first debuted in 1949) sprang to life in the wake of WW2, when many women working in the war effort sported oversized plaid shirts that they borrowed from the closets of the men in their life (or just went out and bought for themselves to begin with). Made of warm, high quality wool and produced in scores of different plaid colour combos over the years, the 49er remains a firm favourite amongst vintage fashionistas because it's both cozy and does a great job of providing you with a mid-century casual jacket that can be worn just about anywhere.

Visually, I adore 49ers to no end, however as I'm very allergic to wool (wearing it against my skin usually causes me to bust out in hives in a matter of minutes), I've sadly had to stay at arm's length from these checkered classics. One day, if possible, I would love to commission a seamstress to make me a 49er style jacket out of a non-wool plaid fabric so that I could finally sport this style of vintage garment, too. Until then, I will continue to just make due with my lovely assortment of plaid shirts.

2. Fedora hat

Though by far a style that is most commonly associated with gents, long before they came back into vogue with hipsters and trendy gals in recent years, fedoras had their place in the hearts and wardrobes of many a chic woman in the 1930s and 40s. This sprang in part from their popularity with stars such as Marlene Dietrich (pictured above) and Katharine Hepburn, but also from a general trend towards, what at the time were called "mannish styles" that was widespread in the fashion world at the time.

My own lack of a vintage ladies fedora stems simply for the fact that I've yet to encounter any in person that didn't cost the moon and haven't tried my luck with sourcing one online. The older I get, the more this style of hat appeals to me though, so I could certainly see myself doing so in the not too distant future.

3. Genuine 1940s shoes

At the risk of sounding like a broken record to those who have been longtime readers of my blog, I have somewhat hard to fit feet (they have unusually high arches, are slightly uneven sized, and often fall between a regular and wide width in many brands), which just happen to a modern size 8 (occasionally I can squeeze into a 7.5, or conversely, need to go up half a size to 8.5 - all this despite the fact that visually, it looks like I'm about a 6.5). This combo, paired further with the fact that there are no vintage clothing stores in town, means that finding genuine 1940s (or 1950s) shoes is a challenge (I use the word "genuine" here to distinguish such shoes from more modern footwear that either looks the 40s part on purpose, as in the case of vintage reproduction shoes, or simply have vintage appropriate styling to them).

I know from past experience (with modern and repro styles) that ordering shoes online does usually not end favorably for me, so I've held off on investing in a pair of genuine 1940s shoes until I come across some in person that fit both my feet and ideally my budget, too. With mid-century footwear becoming harder and harder to find with each passing year, I know that it might be a bit of tall order, but I always like to be optimistic and like to believe I'll slip my tootsies into a pair of real, honest to goodness forties shoes one of these days!

4. Vintage swimsuit

Now, to be fair, I don't have a modern one at present either. Believe me when I say that the way my body looks in the type of clothes I wear and how it appears in something as unforgiving as a bathing suit are two vastly different things. Though I've had vintage swimsuits at various points in time, I rarely kept them long (always selling or giving them away to friends) because I'd yet to find one that fits me just right.

Couple this with the fact that some of my medical conditions keep me from being able to do much swimming (I pay dearly for weeks afterwards if I do - a mistake I only had to make once to realize that it's best for me to stay curled on the beach come summer) and that I don't like wearing overly revealing clothing to begin with, and it's not all that big of a surprise that I don't have a swimsuit.

That said, it is a practical garment, even if it's not a terribly flattering one on me, so chances are I'll pick up a vintage or repro swimsuit sometime in the coming months before summer triumphantly returns again.

5. Swing coat

As much as I like the elegant, classic shape of swing coats (especially those that are quite long), they aren't usually terribly kind to my short, curvy figure in the slightest. Princess coats however are whole 'nother matter! Their tailored lines and nipped waist seem to be custom made for my body body, so when Old Man Winter comes calling each year, I reach for vintage princess coats without fail.

I'm not entirely excluding the possibility of owning a swing coat, and I have always wanted a hip length "teddy bear fur" sandy caramel hued one, but at present I'm more than content with my pretty princess coats and suspect they'll always be the number one choice in my books when it comes to old school outerwear (even my vintage raincoat has princess lines to it :)).

6. Playsuit

Playsuits are super cute, super practical, and super fun, and yet, the fact that they often involve baring your knees, upper arms, and/or midriff (not three of my favourite parts of my body in the slightest!) means I approach these charming summer garments with great caution. I admire them on other people, praise their practicality, and swoon over old school examples of them, but for now my closet is woefully playsuit-less until I find one that lets me remain fairly covered up, but still have the versatility that comes with mix-and-match summertime separates of the sort that only playsuits deliver.

7. Penny loafers

I thought I'd finally crossed this vintage fashion staple off of my list last spring when I purchased a pair in near pristine condition at a yard sale for $5.00. Once I got home and attempted to get my footies into them however, they turned out to be too narrow to really even get on at all. *Sigh* The hunt will continue though, as I love the preppy meets casual meets collegiate look of classic penny loafers and would absolute welcome the chance to expand my shoe wardrobe with a pair at long, long last!

{To learn more about a specific image, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}

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Naturally, this is not an exhaustive list of all the possible vintage pieces I could, but do not precisely, own from the decades I hold nearest and dearest to my heart. Instead I opted to focus on pieces that are fairly common amongst the marvelous vintage fashionistas in our spheres and yet are no where to be seen in my dresser drawers or in my vintage outfit blog posts.

As time goes on, I would love to add those that do work for my body type (and sensitive skin!) to my wardrobe, just as would those that still remain (and others that have since been added to) my vintage fashion wishlist. Part of the greatest thrill of wearing vintage for me has always been the hunt, and the actual moment of discovery itself, so I don't usually mind it when there are items, be they commonplace, obscure or anywhere in between, that I'm able to search the web and offline world alike for – no matter how long it takes to find a winner!

What, my sweet dears, are some seemingly commonplace vintage items that most folks own, but which you don't currently have a single one of? Are any of them the same as the entries on my list?

It will be interesting to see, looking back in say, five or ten years, how many (again, of the ones I am hankering for) of these pieces have joined the ranks in my closet, and how many are still as elusive as the likelihood of unearthing a 1950s Dior suit at a thrift store. Only time, and perhaps a future follow-up post in a few years will tell!

79 comments:

I don't have a shirtwaister dress, though I do have a pattern for one but then my sewing machine pedal went kaput last Summer and still isn't fixed, so I haven't had the chance to rectify not having one. I don't have vintage bathers either, but that's entirely to do with absolutely not wanting to wear any! I don't wear wool either, or any natural fibres actually as they make me itch terribly, even with a layer of something between the item and my skin.

Hello my fellow wool allergy fighting gal, thank you very much for your great comment. I'm sorry to hear that natural fibers of all kinds trouble your skin. It's amazing, isn't it, the things we can be allergic to.

It's all the more shame that we don't live nearby to one another, as a serious portion of my frock wardrobe is comprised of shirtwaist dresses and I'd happily let you borrow any that struck your fancy.

Thank you! I hope so, too. They've been on my list for longer than I can recall and it's high time I finally found a pair that actually fit.

What a smart post -- you weave your personal tales with historical clothing in an entertaining way. You excel at blogging, dear. I love learning new things -- I've never even heard the term playsuit before -- and hearing you relate them to yourself is doubly fun. Those of us with passion for anything (e.g., vintage clothing; motorcycles) know that our obsession is always a work-in-progress; there's always more to acquire and enjoy.

What a tremendously lovely compliment, Ally, thank you deeply. I'm touched and delighted in equal measure to know that you enjoyed this post and even picked up a new-to-you fashion term from it. That makes my sartorially minded soul a happy camper! :)

I am in slight disbelief that one of the only genuinely vintage pieces I own - my 49er jacket (although it's not Pendleton so perhaps doesn't count) is one you don't! Mind you, I'm not allergic to wool so there you go... I do find it very itchy though - not something to wear against my bare skin, for sure! I would love to see you in a stylish swing coat, I can imagine that suiting you fabulously. And I sympathise on having difficult feet - I've also got one a half size larger than the other and they're impossibly narrow. Shoes old and new don't stay on them... It's so disappointing! x

Ooohh, I swear, one of these days, I'm just going to give in, purchase one, wear it with two layers of turtlenecks and a scarf and finally get to revel in 49er glory! :)

It is so often an itchy fabric no matter what, that's very true. I suspect that's a good part of the reason folks were keen to come up with alternative fabrics that did the same general job in the last couple of centuries.

I'm feeling the pull towards a swing coat more and more - especially the longer length ones. Perhaps 2015 will be the year I find a great 40s or 50s one while out thrifting - that would be so cool!

Thank you very much for wonderfully nice comment, dear gal. Have a fabulous Wednesday!

I love this post! The 49er is one that I am always on the look out for. The only one I ever found (at a vintage shop in Columbus) was way too big on me, and I'm just not quite interested enough in owning one that I would drop the kind of price you tend to see online for one. I do hope you can have a wool-free version made for you some day because I feel like a 49er would compliment your personal style so well!

The playsuit is one item that, while I like them, I don't think I'll ever own. I just can't, in the middle of Ohio, find a reason to own one! They're so beachy and that is one thing we just don't have around here!

Hi sweet Jenny, I hear you there for sure regarding not wanting to pay what they often fetch online these days. I feel that way about an ever increasing number of vintage garments whose prices have shot straight through the roof in very recent years. I really hope that you're able to find one for less at a thrift store (or perhaps receive one as a gift?).

So true about some garments not working for you because of where you live. Granted we're a pretty well rounded location with everything from two lakes to a popular ski hill in our town, but there are still some pieces that I can't see myself wearing all that often here (like my beloved vintage western wear styles) because they just don't suit the terrain and/or environment all that well.

They can be surprisingly chic and very beautiful on ladies, it's true. I suspect that a lot of folks in recent decades think of the late 60s/early 70s way that women often sported fedoras (re: YSL's famous Le Smoking suits and styles inspired by the movie Annie Hall), but they were arguably more popular in the 30s and 40s, frequently paired with feminine styles like skirt suits then and can easily have a place in any vintage loving gal's wardrobe today.

Oh gosh, I really feel you about the shoes. The last play I was in was set in the 1960s and 1940s and the costumer was thrilled I could fit into her vintage clothing pieces, but I told her right out that vintage shoes wouldn't fit on my big toe (I'm a 9.5-10) and that she should let me know what color character shoes I should wear for the role.

I really wish I could find a source of vintage-style pumps that aren't too twee because I do love the heel styles from the 40s. The last pair I really loved were Steve Madden, purchased 15 years ago, and have since fallen apart.

Hi dear gal, I hear you there big time - not only on finding vintage appropriate shoes that aren't woefully twee (if that's not what you're going for, I mean - I'm not opposed to a bit of twee-ness sometimes :)), but also that don't cost the moon! I too tend to keep the shoes I do find that fit and look vintage-y until they are beyond on their last legs. I try to rotate which pairs I wear to help them all last longer, but ultimately nothing lasts forever and I shudder whenever I think of a favourite pair giving up the ghost.

I haven't tried them yet myself, but I've heard great things about Aris Allen's footwear, which is designed for dancing in, but can be worn (especially if the soles are altered a bit) for street wear: http://www.dancestore.com/?gclid=CL_H1Mz07cMCFRSDfgodMykAoA - as their ladies styles usually go up to at least 9.5, perhaps something in their line could work for you.

I am totally surprised that I actually have a lot of these items. The ones that are missing though are for good reasons as well. A swing coat on me would look like a circus tent, I absolutely need the structure and fit of more fitted coats. I would absolutely love to be able to wear all of the beautiful 1940's shoes that I have drooled over on the internet and the few that I have found in person. However, with such bad back issues, heals are OUT. For me, a playsuit seems very unpractical, maybe it's because I live in Alaska, I just cant imagine an outing or activity where this type of garment would be practical. I don't envy your wool allergy in the slightest. I have a few (more than one person needs) plaid wool coats. Again, this could be because I live in Alaska, but I wear each one of them a lot. It would be awesome if you could get one made that isn't wool. Great post, my friend.

You're description of what a swing coat is apt to look like on you is so spot on for me as well. I absolutely need structure - it's amazing how quickly loose or swingy garments usually make me look not just a bit, but substantially, larger than I really am. Still, I do thing swing coats are beautiful, so if I found one for a steal, it might come home with me. Worst case I'd wear it once, take a few snaps, and then simply sell it in my Etsy shop or elsewhere.

Thank you, honey! It was a lot of fun to write. The moment the idea came to me, I began work on it right away and think it's great to talk about the things we don't have sometimes, instead of simply those that we do.

I only have one of the things on this list, so I identify! There are certain pieces that everyone seems to have that just don't ever cross my path for some reason! I do plan on making some playsuits for myself this summer, though!

because the 49´er jacket of the vintage kind is not available here i sewed myself one last year in purple wool plaid. so i have the (self drafted) pattern...... :-)and while i was on this i made the matching skirt too.the fedora - check in brick red; the heels - in the 40´s women around here wore their heels to pieces if they had some - so nothing to find this days; swimsuit - to much fabric for going swimming actually; swing coat - such rich coats were not usual around here - also not available in vintage but would like one; playsuit - check - self sewn - very practical in summer for gardening :-) ; pennyloafers - the same as all the other 40´s shoes - great shortage because WWII - but i look for a nice current version with vintage touch.i´m always in awe how much 40´s garments still exist in north america and 50´s stuff in the whole western world. i remember grandma wearing her last early 50´s dresses to pieces in the 70´s. and what was not totally worn out got made in child clothes. there was no abundance, nothing to store away and forget about ....... hug you! <3

Oooohh, you wonderfully talented lady, you! It's awesome that you drafted and sewed your own purple plaid version of a 49er jacket, complete with matching skirt. That's very, very in keeping with the spirit of the original versions, which were often released with coordinating skirts as well.

That is so true. Even in Canada, I've long felt that we had somewhat less vintage to go around and that survived the decades compared to those in America, the UK, and certain other western countries. It's a small miracle, really, when one stops to think about it, that any 1940s (and to a degree, any from earlier decades, too) clothing, shoes, accessories, etc at all survived much past the war years in a lot of European countries. It makes those that did all the more worthy of being properly loved, treasured and preserved.

Thank you very much for your terrific comment, dear Beate. Huge comings right back at you!♥ Jessica

And for the record: I own several pairs of vintage shoes from the 40s and 50s and they are delicate. I worry about them falling apart when I wear them. Repro shoes are the way to go in my humble opinion. You're not missing much.

It's very reassuring to hear you say that, sweet gal, thank you. I've had similar thoughts myself, but sometimes, especially when I see all the lucky size 5 and 6 gals out there sporting their's, I can't help but yearn for at least one pair. My feet (size 8) don't look as big as they are, especially in keeping with the rest of my stature (I'm barely 5'2"), but they are and though that's not an impossible size to find 40s shoes in, it is tricky and those that surface usually sell quickly at steep prices. Repro and vintage appropriate are great though and I'm thankful for both of those options. I've had a lot of luck over the years with shoes from Payless, but sadly they closed the one in my town and numerous others, I've since learned, across the country. I really hope that the chain as a whole doesn't fold here in Canada. I'm not sure where I'd get budget friendly shoes that actually fit me any more if they do (once in a blue moon I'll luck out at Walmart or Sears, but Payless really has been my go-to for ages).

I don't own any of those items either - either because they're difficult to source (1940s shoes!) or they don't suit me. Vintage are like modern clothes; some styles from a particular era look wonderful on an individual and others look terrible.

Very true, my dear, very true. No one, even the most statuesque model, is ever going to look good in or absolutely love every garment and accessory under the sun (just no one, even the best chef in the world, loves every kind of food).

Thank you! Though I'm not yearning for everything here, I do hope I can add some like a 49er style jacket and a vintage fedora to my closet at some point.

I'm not sure ifmy last comment went through. Have u thought of a repro Pendleton jacket so u can avoid the wool maybe it could be made of a similar synthetic. It look great on u. I also think revamp vintage has some modest swimsuits you'd Like but pricey Retro rover

Hi sweet Kate, no, I don't think it did. This is the only one I see waiting for you. Thank you for sharing that idea with me. I have indeed thought of it, too, as I mentioned here in this post. It's highly likely that going the custom made route is how I'll finally be able to add a 49er style topper to my wardrobe. I have a couple of seamstresses in mind for it, but don't have custom work in my budget this year (unless I really save up), so I'll just have to wait a bit longer in all likelihood.

Revamp's offerings are great - thanks for reminding me about their swimwear line.

It's interesting, you know, but there are certain vintage items that have "moments" amongst yesteryear fashion fans and I can tell, your playsuits are one that have exploded in popularity in recent years (in our sphere I mean), in part because of some repro brands putting out versions and in part because they work well for events like Viva Las Vegas and make for very cute outfit photos in the sunny months. Still, they're not for everyone by and a long stretch and do generally suit those with certain types of figures (of which I do not have one of!) best of all.

That's okay, thankfully sundresses and I are practically BBF's, so that's all I need to get my though the roasty-toasty season! :)

There are so many vintage items i don't own, but would like to. I think this is mostly because of the cost factor. Most of my clothes are vintage-appropriate and i try to "cheat" a lot by trying to recreate vintage "shapes" with the clothes that I own. I do actually own a swimsuit though. I finally found a vintage appropriate bikini and bottoms that actually fit! I will probably never wear them though, because I'm not much of a swimmer and I get sun burned just thinking about it. I really adored your writing in this post <3

Hi sweet gal, I hear you there. I think that for those who are just starting out or who are looking to grow their vintage wardrobe nowadays, things are so much tougher than for those who started a decade or two (etc) ago, when a lot of vintage items were still far easier to come by and wayyyy more affordable when you did hit upon them. The internet and the widespread interest in vintage fashion (in so small part through shoes like Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Masters of Sex, etc) caused prices to soar and supplies to dwindle.

I've said it before many times and I'm sure I'll say it again in the future, too, but as much as I love (and certainly own lots of) genuine vintage, nailing a look from a certain era that I'm aiming for is more important - or at least equal to - all of the pieces being genuinely from said decade. To paraphrase something that my friend Sara Wood from the wonderful blog Lilies & Remains once said (and that I completely agree with), something doesn't have to be vintage to look vintage. So in that respect, it's all the more wonderful that we have repro, 1980s does 1940s and 50s pieces, and vintage appropriate options available to help us nail the vintage looks we're huge fans of.

Thank you very much for your wonderfully nice comment - huge hugs!♥ Jessica

Have you ever considered a modern pair of Bass Weejuns, to solve the penny loafer gap? I had my first pair in the 80s, and I have a pair now, and they've not changed in all that time. I don't know how much they might have evolved between the 40s-50s and when I first had them in the 80s, of course.

That is an excellent suggestion, my dear, thank you very much. I've always like the Ivy League sort of look of Bass Weejuns on chaps, so why not on myself, too? I'll definitely be looking into that possibility now. Thank you again for the splendid idea, I really appreciate it.

I don't have many of these either, I only have two pairs of actual 1940s shoes and none of the rest. I love 1940s shoes but my feet are weird and I need to try shoes on or have heaps of measurements to figure out if they'll fit. I'm anywhere from a 6 to an 8, although I can wear kids sizes smaller than a 6 if they are wide enough. *sigh* hopefully one day I'll have a few more but I am super happy that I have even two pairs.

Hi sweet gal, I'm with you completely. I need (!!!) to try shoes on first. I have horrendous luck with ordering shoes online for that very reason. I've virtually stopped doing so actually and am always very, very apprehensive when a shoe company approaches me to do a product review post, because I know (and tell them as much) that there's a very good chance their offerings aren't going to fit me.

I'm sorry that you're in the same boot, too. It must be great to be able to work with a range of sizes though. I'm usually a modern size 8 shoe, but can sometimes go down to a 7.5 or up to a 8 (once or twice, even a 9, which floored me, as usually 9s are swimming on me).

Here's to the hope that we both encounter some great new vintage appropriate shoes that fit us like gloves in person this year!

Not you got me thinking about my "don't have list" and several of my missing items are on your list as well (for different reasons, mostly money as many of those vintage pieces cost a pretty penny. Dang pretty pennies! lol). Penny loafters would be so cute on you as would a fedora (very much so).

I did manage to cross off vintage swimsuit last year which I wore to VIVA! and I just recently crossed off my list "Mexican Skirt" this year as well (for a steal on that one). My missing list beyond your list also includes 1930s Beach Pajamas and 1940s boots (cute pretty ones). These 2 missing items I dream about owning one day.

Those pretty pennies, eh, they're such elusive critters! :D Thank you, that's very sweet! I feel like a fedora and a pair of penny loafers would be a very good fit for my wardrobe, too, which, objectively is usually of causal attire to cocktail dress level of formlessness. You know, after I penned this post, it really drove home for me that a fedora is the piece that I most want, followed by the penny loafers and a "safe" version of a 49er jacket.

Ooohh, I hear you so much on wanting a pair of 40s boots! Those are a holy grail in my books, too. I certainly wouldn't say no to beach pajamas either, especially since our town in literally sandwiched between two big lakes with popular beaches at each. I really hope that you're able to add both of those timeless garments to your closet, my dear friend (please feel free to share more details about the items you've hunting for anytime, so that if I should chance upon them, I can show them to you before listing them in my Etsy shop).

Where fedoras are concerned, I can keep my eye open for you - I love them too, and find that they're quite flattering. I own a 1950's men's fedora and am looking forward to decent weather to be able to wear it (I am NOT ruining one of my vintage hats due to crummy Toronto weather!!). let me know what you're looking for (men's or women's, size style, colour), and I'll be sure to convo you at your fantastic Etsy shop (PLUG!! *lol* ) with a linky-poo, or contact you here or elsewhere with some form of link...

That's super sweet of you, dear gal, thank you! I'm looking for a ladies 30s or 40s fedora that's fairly akin to the one the gorgeous Ms. Dietrich is sporting here, but I'm not opposed to other fedora styles from that era either and would be very open to a wider brimmed style (say, like this one: http://bit.ly/17iefYE). Fairly wide colour spectrum - grey is a natural choice, but I'd love brown, dark green, burgundy, navy blue, eggplant, pink like the one in that photo, even mustard yellow. Price is the bigger factor, as I always have a very modest budget to work with (and the pitiful state that our Canadian dollar is in right now doesn't help it out in the slightest right now if buying from the States or elsewhere internationally).

Thanks again - definitely let me know if there's anything I can help you track down as well!

Since my wardrobe is fairly new I only actually own one authentic 1950's vintage sweater. It's funny I've found quite a few men's things that my son loves to wear but not much in the way of women's wear. My other problem is that I could buy from Etsy but I'm so leery. After my dress let down last week made by my own hand I know that I need to try it on before I buy. What looks great in pics doesn't mean it will look good on me. (sigh) I'm also learning I like the hunt and that its part of the fun for me as I try to obtain more vintage things to wear. Slow process yes but so exciting when you find even the smallest of things to add to your collection like a pin or earrings.

Hi lovely Debra - vintage sweaters in one's size and budget are not always the easiest thing to come by. I do own some, but the bulk of my sweaters and cardigans and vintage appropriate modern offerings. Is there anything that I could do to help put your mind at ease about Etsy? I've been a customer for several years and a seller there since last May, so I have a good understanding of both sides of the coin.

I totally get that about pieces not always working as well in person as they appear as though they might online. That's a big part of the gamble with online shopping, especially for those who don't have a super model's body (which, less face it, is 99.9999999999999999999999% of the population!). I have, over all, had surprisingly good luck (save for with shoes and, oddly, slips and night gowns) with ordering fashions online, but there's always that will it/won't it factor at work and that's enough to make anyone leery at times.

I love the process of adding to my vintage wardrobe, too. No matter how many years one is at it, it's always a work in progress and I absolutely adore that fact.

Here's to the hope that many great vintage (ladies wear!) pieces come your way this year!

This could be my list. :) I do own a good collection of clear lucite shoes from the fifties (I am so very lucky to wear size 6), and I do adore playsuits, but think I am too old for them. A decent top and a skirt is just as good if it is really warm. Things I don't own either are: bakelite (yep, very strange, but I just don't like it. I adore lucite though), cherry patterned anything (I think it is modern repro based, not vintage, and I think it has gone too far), and contrast seamed stockings (I don't like the contrast look of e.g. a red or black seam on nude, but I adore a nude seam on nude stockings, but they are hard to find). I go on vacation to Austria very early tomorrow morning, but I do bring my iPad for reading. Wishing you a lovely day, dear. :)

You are so lucky to have size 6 feet - I think that's the most versatile size out there. You can find plenty of vintage offerings and aren't so small or large as to have trouble with potentially falling outside of the range of a modern brand.

True - a top and skirt do the trick just as well. I think vintage play suits are one of those garments that have a certain aura about them in our circle these days and that draws people to wanting to sport them (very much including in warm weather selfies). Not that there's anything wrong with that of course.

I love lucite, too - it's a very fun mid-century plastic. Your list of "don't haves" is really interesting. I own all of them, but none in copious quantities at this point in time. :)

It's incredibly hard to find vintage shoes and I'm jealous of everyone that owns them! But it seems if you're bigger than a size 7, you;re out of luck. I am DYING for a 49er jacket. It's definitely on my list! Also a playsuit, but I kinda figure I'll have to make one or buy repro since they can be a pain to find in my size. Keep building your wardrobe with the pieces you like and enjoy!

So true! Larger sized vintage shoes (I use the word "larger" lightly - as I don't personally consider a size 8 or 9 to be very big) do surface, but they usually cost a pretty penny and get snapped up in a flash. Etsy can be a good source, but if you have hard to fit feet, too, and are leery of ordering shoes online (as I am, based on past negative experiences), then you're out of luck unless you live in a town with some great vintage stores (and even then, there's no guarantee they'll get in shoes in your size and price range). Repro and vintage appropriate style shoes are the way to go for gals like us.

Thank you very much for your great comment - have a terrific weekend!♥ Jessica

I'm so glad that you made this post! I can agree with you on all of those garments you listed, on various reasons, not necessary same than yours. Only thing on the list that I sort of have, is the fedora. I have late 30's-early 40's fedora style hat. I don't think it's exactly fedora, but close enough. However, it is lovely to hear from other people too, that not every vintage hoarders/lovers/enthusiasts need to own exactly the same items. I have always felt that way. And like you said, sometimes it is very difficult to find desired item which is perfectly fitting and aesthetically pleasing to your eye. Modern bodies don't always easily match with vintage sizing. On my own list I could also add lucite handbag, springolators, bakelite bangles, chunky 50's earrings, highwaisted jeans, vintage sweater or cardigan and novelty print circle skirt. I would have to make my own post to list all the reasons why, so I don't bore you here making this comment mile long by listing them :D

Hello dear Rhia, thank you very much for your wonderfully lovely comment. I know just the type of hat style you mean and love that one a good deal as well. It's very becoming and is great for "borrowed from the boys" sorts of ensembles.

Yes, precisely! Vintage loses something of its truly special flavour, so to speak, if we all create closets with essentially the same items in them. Diversity, ingenuity, creativity, and uniqueness are the hallmarks of any amazing wardrobe and such rings true for us vintage wearers every bit (if not more so) than it does for contemporary fashionistas.

Ooohh, I would massively love a pair of Springolators, but I doubt that will happen - at least anytime soon. They were such a cool style of shoe. I wish one or more of the repro footwear brands would release a vintage inspired version for the 21st century in a wide range of sizes.

Sweet Jessica, you would look charming sporting a Fedora hat! I hope you can find one that suits you well and is not madly expensive. I'm also with you in so many of your listed garments you don't own. I find playsuits incredible feminine and fun, but I wouldn't dare to show my bare legs! And I relate so much with you about finding vintage shoes... without a physical shop to try them on, can be very challenging for those whom have feet that are a little different than normal. Mine are short but wide! Collegian type of shoes are comfy and I love the look of them, Penny loafers sound good! Oh... Summer is coming soon, and would be a dream come true to own one of those magnificent vintage swimsuits 40s/50s, but they are soooo expensive and not sure if they would suit my body. Although I don't go to the beach for many years (which is a shame because Setúbal has amazing beautiful beaches), I pretend to go this year because of my little men. I will wear a cheap repro swimsuit/bikini.

Hello my darling friend, thank you very much for your great comment. It's interesting and lovely to know that on top of the plethora of things we share in common, wanting some of these sames and not being able to successfully pull others off are amongst them.

How lovely that you're going to take your son to beach this year. I'm sure he'll love that to pieces! And whatever you wear, I know you'll look as beautiful as the sun-kissed Portuguese sands themselves.

I have had a swing coat, though not genuine vintage, but still had a almost identical cut and I honestly felt awkward in it. I looked beautiful on, but I had to use my hand constantly to keep it closed. It gets windy here in winter. I just got a pair of camel colored penny loafers from the goodwill, never worn! Let's see the closest I've come to having a 49er was a imitation LL Bean men's flannel shirt. Say that might work, can you wear flannel?

That's a really good point about swing coats. Though some do have buttons, frog closures, or other means of staying at least partially closed, many do not and it can be very impractical to wear them when it's actually cold for that reason. If the material is sturdy enough, one option is to use a very large kilt pin, but it could damage the fabric, if it's not super rugged, so I'd always proceed with caution there.

I've never had a problem with flannel (tactically speaking, it's actually one of my fave fabrics), so that might really be able to do the job. Awesome suggestion, Seanna, thank you very much!!!

This is so funny to me, mostly because I don't own most of these items either! Actually, if you sub out swing coats for princess coats and penny loafers for saddle shoes, we'd have pretty similar gaps in out wardrobes.I think a lot of the items that you mentioned are just a bit trickier to wear or style, and I wouldn't be surprised to find many other vintage lovers with matching lists. It's hard enough to find a swimsuit as it is, and I feel like I would be terrified something would go wrong with a vintage one. Playsuits are lovely on other people, but I'm a little self-conscious about my thighs, so shorts or things that are shorts adjacent aren't items I usually pick up.One popular item that I don't own (but would love to) is a vintage beaded cardigan. I seriously don't know why I don't have one yet, since I have several unadorned varieties, but it's probably just that I'm kind of cheap!

I really tend to agree. There are some styles that are nearly universally flattering (pencil skirts - I fully believe they suit far more women than said women believe, shirtwaist dresses, 40s style overalls, berets, etc), plenty more generally work well for a smaller segment of the population and there's nothing wrong with that. Our wardrobes should never be cookie cutter copies of one another's right down to the lass button.

Goodness, do I hear you about your legs! I haven't worn or even owned shorts since my teen years. It would probably take a cheque with a lot of zeros on it to get me to even think about wearing a skirt or shorts or anything else that hit above the knee in public, let alone on camera. Silly, in a way, I know, for each of our bodies is unique and beautiful, but my legs are anything but my best feature and I'm not keen to show them off above the knees for one red second. Thank goodness that is non issue with the bulk of pre-1960s fashions! :)

Ooohh, I just know that a beaded cardigan would look positively smashing on you! I hope that a vintage one comes your way this year. I have a 50s one in my shop at the moment and if I find others, I'll let you know before I list them in case any happen to be the type you're searching for.

Thank you very much for your terrific comment - have a beautiful, fun filled weekend!♥ Jessica

Hmmmmmm, a certain Granny type woman you know has zillions of Fedoras, tho some are only vintage "Look" and therefor can not be sold in my online shop. And these days, they are not pricey and many today are ADJUSTABLE!! They come with a drawstring in the band.

So if you were to drop a hint of color love and preference of brim width, I bet one could sprout wings and fly to Canada one special day. LOL

You are the epitome of sweetness, dear Nicholette. Oh my word, that would be amazing!!! Thank you very much for your incredibly kind offer and generosity.

In terms of style, something along the lines of the one in this photo http://bit.ly/17iefYE or even a bit wider for the brim would be great. Colour wise, the sky is the limit. My wardrobe is a rainbow, so I can likely put together an outfit around just about any hue. The only colours I tend to avoid with hats are ones that look very similar to my hair colour, aside from that, the sky is the limit. That said, in general (for all areas of my life), my favorite colours are pink (specifically dusty rose), burgundy, teal, turquoise/aqua, pine/forest green, red, eggplant, grey, navy blue and mustard yellow.

I don't own any original 1940s shoes either. They're so beautiful but I wear a wide size 10 which is impossible to find in that era! I have found maybe 3 pairs that fit in my years of vintage hunting but the leather is always very dry and cracked and I'd be afraid to wear them. Luckily, there's a lot of great repro or vintage style shoes out there so I just stick to those

Very true, leather shoes rarely hold up all that well, especially if they saw a lot of wear back in the day. I'm sorry that genuine vintage shoes in your size aren't forthcoming either, sweet gal. On the extremely unlikely chance that I ever hit upon a vintage collection of (wide) size 10s in my vintage shopping hunts, you will be the first person I contact.

Thank you very much for your lovely comment - have a fabulous weekend!♥ Jessica

*PS* I swear, I was thinking of you and your terrific 49er jackets while penning this post.

These are all so lovely, and the first one is magical. That takes me way back...I don't know why, but I love clothing and music and TV and radio shows "before my time." Thank you so much for sharing these.

Hello dear Linda, I think it's a special gift from the universe when we're tapped to be passionate about the past. It's not something that is bestowed on everyone by a long shot and for those who do share this kind of interest, it can be such an enriching, rewarding, endlessly fun blessing.

oh gosh, I see here quite a lot of things I would like to find in my wardrobe one day.ok, I own a deadstock 50s bathingsuit that looks adorable - but not on me. Loafers are always too narow for my wide feet ... ha, but I just refound a 60s swing coat still with a tag, that I had thrifted in the States two years ago and forgot ... this will make it into my daily wardrobe for spring. yeah.

oh, maybe I would be interested in being an interview partner ... but I really don't think the things i might have to say aren't too interesting to the people out there ...

Hi dear gal, you're far too hard on yourself, I'm certain that folks would love to hear more about you, your life, your vintage wardrobe, your flea market finds, your love of 50s skirts, and many other topics. Do drop me a line if you'd ever like to talk more about the prospect of an interview, honey.

Thank you very much for your comment - have a terrific weekend!♥ Jessica

I LOVE hats, but because of my short (almost no) neck and my fat face, I tend to look best in a newsboy style hat. And I would love a swing coat also. I always say that I am an adult in the wrong era-the 50's and 60's are my favorite fashion period

Hi Tami, I hear you there! Though I am ultimately grateful to live in the era when I do, I certainly wish that fashions these days were more in keeping with the mid-twentieth century decades that we hold near and dear to our hearts.

It's great that you're a fellow hat lover as well! I'm sorry that some styles don't work fabulously on you. There are some that are rather frightening on me, too, let me tell you! Cloche and most pillboxes, for example. Have you tried "half hats" (those charming 1950s hats that were almost more like extra wide headbands) and/or fascinators? Either style - and really any type of hat - with a good dose of volume to it might lend to the appearance of a face and neck because it would draw the eye upward.

Thank you very much for your comment. Have a terrific weekend!♥ Jessica

I've happened across some 49'ers, but living in Sunny SD, it's kind of moot to have it.I'd love a pair of Penny Loafers, I owned a lot when I was a kid, but I've found them hard to find of late.And I have on my to make list some playsuits. I think I'd make the blouses and shorts differing lengths for comfort purposes.

I don't have any of the things on your list either. I would like a playsuit but I am not very brave about shorts. However, they are such a great summer staple I might just have to get over that fear! I am also lacking circle skirts and 1940's style plaid skirts. One thing that strikes me is that one's list of missing pieces could well vary depending on what country you are from. For example, before I read vintage style blogs by Canadians and Americans I didn't know about items such as 49ers and Mexican tourist jackets as they wouldn't have been part of an English woman's wardrobe at the time. Unless she was exceptionally well travelled I suppose.

The same rings true for me as well. My legs, chiefly from the knee up, are not my best feature in the slightest and I avoid short skirts and shorts themselves like the plague. I've seen a few 50s playsuits that had capri length pants though, not shorts, with skirts that were longer still than the pants themselves and can't help but think that might be the solution here for those of us aren't shorts fans.

That's an excellent point regarding various vintage items generally being more associated with certain parts of the world than others. If memory serves me right, I first learned about Horrocks brand dresses though British vintage fashion blogs (and have wanted one ever since - total vintage wishlist item there for me). It's fun that the global-ness of the web allows us to expand our knowledge about subjects we love dearly in such a cool way (via vintage blogs, I mean). Are there any items that you learned about via vintage blogs that you'd love to add to your closet (but haven't yet), now, too?

A playsuit with capri pants sounds a good bet. I do have to be careful with cropped trousers as I am not very tall and sometimes they make me look stubby if they are cropped at the wrong length. I would love a Horrocks dress. I found a couple at vintage fairs but they were very tiny sizes. Boo! I didn't know about whimsys until I read Tanith's blog and I think my wardrobe would benefit from one of them!

I hear you there big time (I'm barely 5'2") and find the same to be true. Where the hem hits on the pants is super important. I find a mid-calf length, especially if it's tapered usually serves me best with cropped pants. Ooohh, I really hope you're able to find a Horrocks dress one day, too. They're stunning! It's amazing how much they've gone up in price in recent years. I kick myself for not buying one say five years ago. I suspect it will be quite the investment when I do finally add one to my closet one day.

Hello there!You know - as much as I'm searching for, it seem to be impossible to find one: a good vintage-looking swimsuit. Not that I call it a "fortune", but in past few years I haven't went to the seaside; but the day will come (hopefully - maybe.. next year.. since this year, with all the building expenses, that will not be an option). And, once the day comes: what will I parade in?!Thank you for reminding me to update my sewing list.I'm adding: sewing a vintage swim suit to the list...if I can't find one - I will make it myself. :)

Oooohhh, you lucky duck, you! Though, thankfully, the sun has reappeared here in the past couple of days, we're very much still in winter mood. Even with my coat and boats on, while briefly at the dog park with Tony, Annie, my sister and her dog (Beau) last night, I was shivering up a storm. Thankfully though, spring does tend to hit the Okanagan before many other corners of Canada and with a bit of luck, in about a month or so, we should start to really see, feel and smell springtime, too.

I would love to try and help you on your vintage swimsuit quest, honey. Please don't hesitate to email me anytime with more details regarding what you're looking for and I'll do my best. It's rare for me to find vintage swimsuits around these parts (one might say "ironically" given the abundance of lakes, many of which you can safely swim in parts of, around this area of the country), but one never know when luck will strike and I'd hate to unknowingly pass up something I saw that could have worked wonders for you.

Thank you very much for your lovely comment. I hope this final week of February is off to a splendid start for you!

You are so right, our wardrobes are always work in process so I guess you just never really know when you'll find the right playsuit ;)I cannot believe that I have a vintage swimsuit and you don't. Although I guess it does not count if I still have not worn it. It's from the 60s and it was my aunts.

Hello dear sweet Jessica:) I've been neglecting the blog fronts of late. I think the weekend ski trips and the children being off of school for various reasons has set me back. This is such an excellent post. I would have thought you would have a fedora. I just recently bought one. I do like the look of a great 30s fedora and they aren't easy to find in the 30s style. I look at those old movies and just love them. I also cannot wear a swing coat and it isn't for lack of trying. I've tried a few Lilli Ann's and these would be the best sort that you think I would like. They just seem so overpowering on me. But, I haven't given up and hope one day that if I try one on in person, I'll say this is lovely! I had a beautiful one I sold because it was so big for me. I hope you find your 40s shoes because when you do find a good pair they are so special but also I find delicate. So, it's a balance. The re-mix shoes are a great alternative. I just bought a couple of 40s shoes and will have to sell one because of the fit. I hope you find yours one day!

Hello my darling friend, please don't worry for the tiniest of moments. It's awesome that you've been able to go on ski trips lately and that you've been having such a lovely winter. I always adore hearing from you and know that you're just an email away, if we don't connect via our blogs, so we're never really out of touch with one another.

How awesome that you recently bought a 1930s fedora. What colour is it? I just know you're going to style is so breathtakingly! I'm sorry that swing coats don't work very well on you either, even the gorgeous LA ones. They overpower me as well and make me look shorter (and wider) than I am usually, which is not something I want to have happen when I'm barely 5'2" to begin with.

Like yourself, I haven't given up hope on that front entirely though and will keep trying - you never know when a certain fabric, length, cut, etc will hit the jacket pot on the swing coat front. (Lol, and no matter how it makes me look, I do so want a waist or hip length golden brown "teddy bear" fur 1950s swing coat one day - I've always madly adored the look of them!)

Thank you very much for your fabulous comment, dearest Joanna. I think of you often and really hope that this month has been a great one for you and your family.

I've found it practically impossible to find genuine vintage shoes that fit. I've long wanted a pair of 60's mod-style flats or pumps but have yet to find a pair that fit the bill. And I'd love a pair of penny loafers to add to my collection, but for now I'm settling for repro versions.

I also don't own a swimsuit, either vintage or modern. I simply don't go swimming often enough to need one. In fact, I don't think I've taken a dip once in the last two years. One of my friends suggested a swim in the lake a few weeks ago and I had to decline because I don't own a suit!

Regarding vintage 1940s shoes, there may be an option you haven't considered. Your local old-fashioned shoe repair shop may well have a cobbler skilled enough create your perfect pair of shoes.

I had some some beat-up boots restored by an old guy in a nondescript place in a boring neighborhood in San Francisco, and discovered he's also the manufacturer for a local small-scale shoe designer. I should think anyone who would do that would be able to create a one-off pair. And he, and his shop, looked like every other shoe repair shop I've ever seen. He wasn't some sort of hip artisan cobbler.

So ask your local guy if he can make a custom pair, and what it would cost. Take pictures of your favorites with you. They may not be cheap or genuine vintage, but they'd be exactly what you wanted and would fit perfectly. He might be able to (or even prefer to) remake a pair you already have, which would lower your cost.

It's funny how shoe repair is an old-fashioned thing that's still around, and every time I have to use one, I'm pleasantly surprised to get good work at a good price.

Thank you very much for your detailed comment and thoughtful suggestions. That's an avenue I've somewhat investigated before. We don't have a local cobbler at present who is making shoes from scratch, but chances are there would be some to be had elsewhere in the province. I know that when I was speaking to a couple of them in Calgary, AB a number or years back (actually, over a decade now) when I lived there, they were quoting me in the $350+ range for leather, a bit less for suede. With the drastic increase in most things these days, I'm sure those rates would be higher now quite a bit. That's far beyond my everyday budget, but not something I'd ever rule out entirely in the long run. It's great to have that option and it makes me think that a company that really specialized in custom made vintage style/repro shoes, especially if they could come in under $200 a pair, would do extremely well.

I'm delighted to hear that you've had good luck on the the cobblers in SF and hope that you always continue to. Thank you again for your comment, I certainly appreciate it.

I'm Jessica, a lifelong lover of all things antique and vintage, especially those from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

This blog is my visual scrapbook in which I record and share my thoughts on the multitude of sources, people and products that inspire and feed a modern gal's addiction to the past. I also post about the vintage clothes, hairstyles and make-up looks that I adore wearing.

Stay a spell and have a blast as we explore the incomparably fantastic world of vintage history and fashion together.

All images used on this site are credited to their original posters/creators/sources,
however if at any time you would prefer not to see one of your images here, please email me and I'll take it down right away.

PS...I just wanted to say thank you very much for visiting and to tell you that you're equal parts awesome and beautiful.